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Pyrograf III

Pyrograf III is a patented, very fine, highly graphitic, yet low cost, carbon nanofiber. Pyrograf III is available in diameters ranging from 70 and 200 nanometers and a length in excess of 100 microns. Therefore, nanofibers are much smaller than conventional continuous or milled carbon fibers (5-10 microns) but significantly larger than carbon nanotubes (1-10 nanometers). CNF is discontinuous fibrous reinforcement for engineered composites with an inherently low processing cost. In equivalent production volumes, CNF is projected to have a cost comparable to E-glass or a per-pound basis, yet possesses properties which far exceed those of glass and are equal to or exceed those of much more costly commercial carbon fiber. Because it is a discontinuous reinforcement, CNF can be incorporated into commercially available thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers and can be used directly in existing high volume molding processes without any significant new manufacturing development. Because of its extraordinary intrinsic properties, particularly its strength and elastic modulus, CNF is expected to enable a reduction in the material required to produce a given strength and/or stiffness, thus providing net weight and cost savings. Furthermore, CNF is produced in a process very similar to that of carbon black, directly from a simple hydrocarbon source. The economies of scale in this process are therefore not tied to the production costs associated with spun textile.

Pyrograf III carbon nanofiber is offered in two types and in three grades each, which are identified in the tables below.

PyrografIII is a multifunctional material which provides enhanced electrical conductivity over a broad range along with mechanical reinforcement of matrix materials.

TEM Image of Pyrograf III Carbon Nanofiber

Other benefits provided by the nanofiber include improved heat distortion temperatures and increased electromagnetic shielding. Although direct measurement of many properties cannot be obtained by conventional methods, the physical properties of more graphitic forms of vapor grown carbon fiber are known to tend towards single crystal graphite. (See Pyrograf-I data)

PYROGRAF III PROPERTIES:

Nano-fiber Type

Nano-fiber Grade

N2Surface Area, (m2/gm)

Dispersive Surface Energy, (mJ/m2)

Moisture Content(%)

Iron Content(ppm)

PAH Content (mg PAH/g fiber)

Density (lbs/ft3)

PR-19

PS

20-30

120-140

<5

<14,000

<1

2-4

PR-19

LHT

<5

<14,000

<1

2-4

PR-19

HHT

15-25

265-285

<5

<100

<1

2-4

PR-24

PS

50-60

<5

<14,000

<1

2-4

PR-24

LHT

<5

<14,000

<1

2-4

PR-24

HHT

<5

<100

<1

2-4

Pyrograf III has a unique structure sometimes referred to as stacked-cup carbon nanotubes (SCCNT). The graphene plane surface is canted from the fiber axis, which exposes the plane edges present on the interior and exterior surfaces of the carbon nanofibers. The following figures depict this unique stacked-cup structure.

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About Applied Sciences

Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI) is a small corporation located in Cedarville, Ohio. ASI specializes in the research and development of advanced materials and their applications. ASI is one of the leaders in the development of materials possessing exceptionally high thermal conductivity. Materials currently under development include vapor-grown carbon fibers, diamond thin films, and composites derived there from. In addition to superior thermal performance, these materials possess various other desirable properties, including low cost. In 1995, ASI obtained funding for accelerated development of its Pyrograf® carbon fiber under the Department of Commerce's Advanced Technology Program (ATP)